Before we begin our story, we’ll take a quiet moment together to practice a gentle relaxation technique, focusing on gratitude. With a few slow breaths, we’ll reflect on the small, steady things that bring us warmth and comfort—helping to soften the day’s edges and ease us into rest. Then, deep in the heart of the forest, where the river winds through towering pines, a gentle bear and a playful otter find solace in each other’s company. The bear, steady and strong, enjoys the quiet rhythms of the woods, while the otter, full of laughter and light, dances through the water without a care. Though they are different in many ways, their bond grows through the seasons—built on trust, patience, and the simple joy of being together. This is a story of love in its purest form: the kind that asks for nothing but presence, the kind that holds you as you are. Let this tender tale of friendship and devotion lull you into a place of peace, where love is as constant as the river and as enduring as the pines.